Dog shelter improvement is welcome news

The past several months have seen welcome changes at the Fairfield County Dog Shelter, and we hope to see continued improvements being made.

First, the county changed how the shelter euthanizes dogs - eliminating the gas chamber for more humane lethal injections. Then, it was revealed this past week that the shelter is well on its way to becoming a "no-kill" shelter. That progress is welcome, and we look forward to the announcement that the status has been achieved.

It hasn't been a particularly easy year at the shelter. Dog lovers, either individually or through organizations, have put tremendous pressure on the county to make these improvements. Although most have been professional and well-meaning in their approach, a few went too far - issuing threats and calling for jobs, which doesn't help anyone. We hope the county can continue to work with the concerned citizens who have gone about things the right way.

It's important, too, for those groups to remember this is a government-operated agency, and it can't easily change every detail simply because caring people want it to. Volunteers absolutely should be allowed, but it should be in a structured way, not through free access for anyone as a few have advocated. The county now is exploring a formal structure for how, and when, people can volunteer - something it should have had a long time ago.

But that's in the past. Today, the future looks brighter at the Fairfield County Dog Shelter. Volunteers can help. However, so can citizens by looking to the shelter or to the Fairfield County Humane Society for their adoptions, rather than going to pet stores or other locations.

After all, these agencies have finite space for the animals they care for and, ultimately, we all want the same thing - good, safe homes for pets, rather than any unnecessary euthanization.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Dog shelter improvement is welcome news

The past several months have seen welcome changes at the Fairfield County Dog Shelter, and we hope to see continued improvements being made.